W.Va. Chamber of Commerce plans Business Court symposium

CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is holding a symposium to highlight the state’s new business court.

The court, which opened in October, is designed to streamline company-against-company litigation. It is headquartered in the Berkeley County Judicial Center in Martinsburg.

The Chamber of Commerce’s symposium is scheduled for Jan. 22 in Charleston. It is hosted by Jackson Kelly and will be held at its Charleston office on Lee Street.

Cost is $30 per person. Reservations can be made by contacting Kim Nelson at knelson@wvchamber.com or 304-342-1115.

State Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis is the event’s keynote speaker. She was in attendance in October when the business court was unveiled at a ceremony.

Business Court Chief Judge Christopher Wilkes and Judge James Young have also accepted invitations to attend.

The plan for the business court is to have seven judges geographically positioned around the state who have special training in business law. Davis said the goal for each case will be a resolution within 10 months.

“In the business world, time is money,” she said in October. “The litigants are guaranteed not just a quick hearing, but an expert hearing.”

Any business-to-business case filed in the state can be removed to the business court in one of two ways. The judge originally assigned the case will decide if it’s ripe for the business court, or the attorneys handling the case can petition the chief justice of the Supreme Court, currently Brent Benjamin.

If the chief justice agrees, the business court judges will put it to a vote.

Cases will travel to the judges, while administrative matters are handled at the Martinsburg office.